The Fundamentals of Mapping Chapter 1 & 2 Notes

What is a Map? A map is a representation of the Earth's features drawn on a flat surface. They use symbols and colours to represent the features of an area. Map Requirements Most maps will include the following features to interpret what is represented on a map.

1. Title: Describes the area shown on the map. 2. Legend: A legend explains the meaning of the symbols and colours used on a map. 3. Scale: The scale compares the distance between points on the map with the actual distance between the points on the Earth's surface. 4. Direction: The directional symbols (north, south, east, and west) are usually indicated on a map in two ways. i. By a direction arrow ii. By the use of latitude and longitude 5. Borders: Borders or margins set the map apart from other information.

Two General Categories of Maps 1. Large Scale Maps: these types of maps illustrate a large amount of detail of a small area. For example, maps with scales of 1:50,000 are large-scale maps. They are used whenever detail information about a small area is required. Go To Google Map 2. Small Scale Maps: these types of maps show a small amount of detail of a large area. For example, maps with scales of 1:250,000 are small scale maps. These maps are used for general information such as political and physical regions.

Large Scale Maps

Small Scale Maps

Types of Maps 1. General Purpose Maps: provides many types of information on one map. Road maps are good examples. Some of the things shown on general purpose maps include: water bodies roads railways parks towns & cities

2. Thematic Maps: these types of maps used 2. Thematic Maps: these types of maps used to show information about one particular topic. Some examples include: drainage basins elevation transportation routes vegetation urban places rainfall (isotopes) geologic maps

3. Topographic Maps: these types of maps. show 3. Topographic Maps: these types of maps show the characteristics of a small area of the Earth's surface in detail. Topographic maps illustrate: a. physical features such as marshes, rivers, lakes, etc. b. human features such as political boundaries, highways, railways, bridges, and schools c. direction and location d. elevation - the height of land above sea level. Contours lines are used to show elevation

Topographic maps show direction and location in two ways: i. Latitude and longitude: parallels of latitude and meridian of longitude are included on topographic maps to pinpoint location and to show direction. ii. Map grid: a series of blue vertical and horizontal lines is drawn on a topographic map to form a grid like pattern. This grid can be used to locate any feature on the map. Here a 4 or 6 point grid system may be used.

Direction The compass is the most widely and most accurate means of finding direction. The compass consists of a small magnetize needle housed in the transport compartment. The housing is marked off by cardinal points. The needle is poised very delicately and must come to rest before conversations are made. The following image illustrates a standard 8 point cardinal directional symbol.

Scale Scales show the relationship between the distance on a map and the actual distance on Earth. There are 3 types of scales: 1. Statement scale: a map scale represents by "stating" the actual scale for a map. For example, 1cm to 10 km. Note that the 1 cm represents 10 km, it does not equal it. 2. Linear scale: a line that is divided into units of measurements that represents the actual units on the ground.

3. Ratio scale: a unit on a map would 3. Ratio scale: a unit on a map would represent a unit on the Earth's surface. For example a ratio scale of 1:10 000 would mean 1cm represents 10 000 cm or 1m would represent 10 000 m.

LATITUDE & LONGITUDE Latitude (shown as a horizontal line) is the angular distance, in degrees, minutes, and seconds of a point north or south of the Equator. Lines of latitude are often referred to as parallels. Longitude (shown as a vertical line) is the angular distance, in degrees, minutes, and seconds, of a point east or west of the Prime (Greenwich) Meridian. Lines of longitude are often referred to as meridians.

Elevation Elevation is defined as the height of land above sea level. Contour lines are used to show variations in height of land. There are 4 ways to illustrate elevation on a map. 1. Contours lines: these are imaginary lines (usually brown in colour) that join places of equal elevations. These lines may increase in increments of 10m to 100m apart. The vertical distance between one contour line and another is known as the contour interval.

For example 10 metres. These lines will never intersect but may become very close to one another indicating a very steep rise or fall such as a cliff. 2. Horizontal control points: these are positions that have been accurately measured and plotted by surveyors. A control point is marked on the landscape by a brass marker embedded in concrete. 188 3. Bench marks: locations marked only on a map, giving the exact elevation of human made features such as bridges and buildings 156.

4. Spot heights: locations marked only on a. map 4. Spot heights: locations marked only on a map. Spot heights are usually located on hilltops or roads . 187.